AS THE rain pours down on a miserable Monday afternoon, what better way to celebrate the easing of restrictions than with a free tea or coffee?

Public transport is one of the sectors seeing an easing of restrictions from today (Monday, May 17), as capacity on buses increases.

Stagecoach is encouraging people to get back on board, but know that after more than a year of cautious travel - or none at all - many will be a bit uncertain about rejoining their public transport routes.

Beatrice and Nikki are two representatives who are standing out with a coffee cart in Basingstoke's Top of Town this afternoon, chatting to residents about returning to buses, and giving the opportunity to provide feedback.

They are also offering passerby a complimentary tea or coffee to warm them up on this wet and windy day.

Nikki said: "People are understandably a little apprehensive after a year of lockdowns, but we want people to feel safe and confident travelling on buses again."

For more information on what Stagecoach safety measures and its #GetBackToBus campaign, visit: www.stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus